Carleton Watkins: Stereoviews of the Columbia River Gorge

October 4, 2008 - April 12, 2009

Carleton Watkins is considered to be one of the finest landscape photographers of the early American West, and during a series of trips from 1867 to 1885, he photographed Portland and the Columbia River Gorge, capturing some of the first photographs of iconic landmarks such as Castle Rock, Cape Horn, and Multnomah Falls, as well as life, work, and transportation along the river. The Oregon Historical Society’s collection contains the most comprehensive set of Watkins’ images of Oregon ever to be assembled by an institution. The Oregon History Museum will display nearly one hundred photographs of the Columbia River Gorge that Watkins printed in the popular, nineteenth-century stereoscopic format – two near identical photos mounted together that, when viewed through a special lens, make the image become three-dimensional. The OHS exhibit will allow visitors the unique chance to view these images as they were meant to be seen in “3D,” letting the viewer experience the formidable landscape of the Columbia River Gorge just as Carleton Watkins first experienced it 140 years ago.

Carleton Watkins's Stereoviews of the Columbia River Gorge is shown in partnership with the Portland Art Museum’s upcoming exhibit, Wild Beauty: Photographs of the Columbia River Gorge, 1867-1957.

With purchase of a ticket at either location you will receive 50% off of admission to the other venue.  (Promotion ends on January 11, 2009)

Download the articles on Carleton Watkins from the Oregon Historical Quarterly!

Friedel and Toedtemeier click here (pdf 7MB)

Friedel Research Files click here (pdf 3MB)

Terry Toedtemeier, curator of photography at the Portland Art Museum and beloved friend of many at the Oregon Historical Society, passed away suddenly on December 10, 2008.  For decades, Terry has walked across the Park Blocks whenever he could to share his laughter and his love of Oregon photography with us.  Most recently, he collaborated with the OHS to prepare his life’s work, the Portland Art Museum exhibition, Wild Beauty: Photographs of the Columbia River Gorge, 1867-1957 and a book by the same name, and to help develop the OHS’s partner exhibition, Carleton Watkins: Stereoviews of the Columbia River Gorge.  His passion for his work, his kindness, and his infectious enthusiasm inspired us all. We’ll miss you very much, TT.